The Rouge Wine Bar & Patio opens to the public on Tuesday, October 11, offering wine, a full bar program, and an extensive food menu right next door to Pindustry at 7939 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite 190, in Greenwood Village.
The beverage program at The Rouge will include more than 50 wines by the glass and 200 wines by the bottle. The list will comprise unique, small production wines from around the world highlighting organic and biodynamic producers. “We are showcasing wines from producers that are true stewards of the land and who focus on minimal intervention in the winery, simply because the wines are more interesting and just taste better,” said brand director Joel Kampfe, who’s a co-owner of Noble Riot in Denver and Unrooted in San Francisco in a statement.
The Rouge’s wines were selected to pair with and play off of a food menu that spotlights small Colorado farmers. The Rouge also has a Coravin menu termed Bucket List Wines, which consists of fine and rare wines from top producers and venerable regions. A small menu of classic cocktails and a few select craft beers will also be available.
The Rouge’s food menu will focus on shared and small plates highlighting cuisines from around the world. Items include 7x Farms Steak Tartare served with cornichons, capers, quail egg yolk, and crusty bread; Ahi Tuna Poke with yuzu soy glaze, avocado, Peppadew peppers, and cucumber; Lamb Merguez with peach chutney; and Truffle Fries with black garlic aioli and parmesan. The food menu will also include three salads, French onion soup, six entree-sized offerings, and dessert.
“Wine is our first love,” said culinary director Chris Collins, “but we wanted an exciting, approachable menu to enjoy with all the wine we’re featuring here. We allow the amazing ingredients, locally sourced when we can, to speak for themselves. We think our guests will find our food engaging and discover a new favorite on each visit.”
Starting October 11, The Rouge will be open Tuesday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a brunch menu available on the weekends. The space will be available for private events on Sunday evenings and Mondays.
The Rouge is the second food and beverage project from Bob Koontz, who opened Pindustry next door in June 2021 as the first redeveloped business in the newly formed Arapahoe Entertainment District. Since then, the district has added international brands like Shake Shack and Starbucks alongside local favorites like Sukiya Ramen.
“After we opened Pindustry, we heard from many of our loyal patrons that they were looking, at times, for a more sophisticated, quieter offering in the area,” Koontz said. “We had this great space in the building and set out to transform it into a wine-focused gathering place.”
The Rouge Wine Bar & Patio includes 3,000 square feet indoors, with a sunken central bar surrounded by plush seating and decor with a nod to the Roaring ‘20s. Garage-style windows open onto a 2,000 square foot, partially covered patio with views of the Front Range.
“Experiencing and enjoying wine should be a fun and approachable adventure, not one chock full of pretentious nuance,” said Christine Gill, executive director of The Rouge and Pindustry. “Our intention is to offer exceptional service with a wine menu that pairs perfectly with our curated and artisan-inspired cuisine, all while not taking ourselves too seriously.”
This winter, The Rouge will transform into Miracle at The Rouge, a Christmas cocktail bar, from November 22 to December 30.
